FDA Seeks to Ban an Ingredient Found in Sodas After It Was Linked to Memory Loss and Thyroid Issues, Declaring It 'No Longer Safe'

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has introduced a proposal to ban the use of brominated vegetable oil, a substance that is already banned in Europe and Japan, within the United States. This move comes in response to the potential for significant health effects in humans. 

Dangerous Ingredient Found in Sodas

Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

Following the lead of California, the FDA has decided to ban brominated vegetable oil after the state passed the California Food Safety Act in October, making it the first U.S. state to do so.

Ending Use of Brominated Vegetable Oil 

Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

The proposal, initiated on November 2, would essentially eliminate the existing regulation that permits the use of this chemical.

Health Risks Reexamined

Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

While the FDA had previously permitted the use of bromine-modified vegetable oil in small amounts to prevent the separation of citrus flavoring in certain beverages, recent findings from the FDA have brought about a significant change in its safety classification.

Thyroid Health at Risk

Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

The findings indicate that the buildup of bromine has a detrimental effect on the thyroid, which is a key gland in the human body as it regulates metabolism, controls blood pressure and energy production, and affects various vital functions.

Skin and Memory Issues

Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

Besides the thyroid-related risks, Brominated vegetable oil has also been linked to skin and mucous membrane irritation, memory issues, fatigue, and loss of muscle coordination.

FDA Declares the Additive Unsafe

Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

The discovery of these significant risks to the body has led  the FDA to classify the ongoing use of BVO in food as unsafe, marking a departure from its previous "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) designation from the 1970s.

Safety Reassessment 

Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

The FDA stated: “The agency concluded that the intended use of BVO in food is no longer considered safe after the results of studies conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health … found the potential for adverse health effects in humans.”

In Response to Science

Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

The statement, issued by the FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods James Jones, continues, "The proposed action is an example of how the agency monitors emerging evidence and, as needed, conducts scientific research to investigate safety related questions, and takes regulatory action when the science does not support the continued safe use of additives in foods." 

Sodas and Flame Retardants Has BVO 

Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

Brominated vegetable oil, which involves modifying vegetable oil with bromine, a deep red, strong-smelling oily chemical, is used as an emulsifier in citrus-flavored drinks to prevent the flavoring from separating and rising to the surface. Bromine is also a prevalent component in flame retardants.

It May Be in Your Diet

Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

The Environmental Working Group's Eat Well Guide, a nonprofit group dedicated to consumer health, toxins, and pollutants, suggests that numerous products, predominantly sodas, may contain brominated vegetable oil as an ingredient.

Market Pressure led to BVO Removal

Image credit: Prachana Thong-on via Shutterstock

A 2012 petition, backed by over 200,000 signatures, highlighted the potential health risks of the substance and mentioned that lots of companies responded to market pressure by removing its use in consumer products.

Keeping Food Safe

Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

The FDA states that it maintains an ongoing evaluation of the safety of different chemicals in food to ensure alignment with the most up-to-date scientific research and legal obligations, which includes the recent California law. 

More From Womenio

Image credit: Dzmitry Held via Canva.com

What you rarely see in fashion magazines is what women wear that men love. Here are 21 Things Women Wear That Men LOVE

20 Weird Things People Find Extremely Attractive That Most DON'T

Illustration. Image credit: katyasmailey via Canva.com.

Everyone's got their own idea of what they find attractive, and sometimes it's something a little unconventional. Here are 20 Weird Things People Find Extremely Attractive That Most DON'T

30 Things Men Should Wear to Drive Women WILD - (According to Women)

Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

Here is what you should wear to drive them crazy: 30 Things Men Should Wear to Drive Women WILD - (According to Women)

25 Popular Things Women Wear That Men Secretly Hate

Image credit: Depositphotos

From your favorite accessories right down to the choices of footwear, here is a list of fashion items men wish women stopped wearing: 25 Popular Things Women Wear That Men Secretly Hate

33 Dirty Company Secrets Revealed By Employees That We Are Not Supposed To Know

Illustration. Image credit: Shutterstock

Learn what various industries tried to hide from outsiders straight from the employees: 33 Dirty Company Secrets Revealed By Employees That We Are Not Supposed To Know

source https://www.womenio.com/48635/fda-seeks-to-ban-an-ingredient-found-in-sodas-after-it-was-linked-to-memory-loss-and-thyroid-issues-declaring-it-no-longer-safe